Exhibition success for Glasgow artist Frank To

Glasgow-based artist Frank To with his artwork King Bee

Published:14:33Thursday 11 July 2019

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Southside Glasgow-based artist Frank To has sold out his ignited gunpowder work at this year’s prestigious Royal Society of British Artists Exhibition in London – an achievement few artists have ever achieved.

Before the exhibition’s private opening even started earlier this month, To’s radical artwork created in explosive black powder and ignited gunpowder generated unprecedented levels of interests and sales.

King Bee by Glasgow artist Frank To.

In addition, he was one of seven Scottish artists selected for the exhibition out of 1800 submissions and is the only one representing Glasgow.

Commenting on the recent success at the Royal Society of British Artists Exhibition, To, who has a growing international reputation as a leading contemporary painter, said: “I never really expected the gunpowder and explosive black powder series to be this successful. All I ever wanted was to show the importance of technical craft, such as drawing and painting, being integrated into contemporary art.

“Drawing in some major art schools today is disregarded and I want to highlight that I myself trained traditionally still value these skills and hard graft.”

The Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) is dedicated to promoting the highest standards of skill, concept and draughtsmanship in painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. The RBA hold an open submission exhibition in central London every year.

Founded in 1823, the RBA was originally set up to rival the Royal Academy. Today, the society prides itself on exhibiting an eclectic mix of work in varied media.

Frank To showing in the Royal Society of British Artists Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, Federation of British Artists, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London, until this Sunday (July 14).